Combination folding secretary and dresser



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1..

} A.'SHIELDS.. COMBINATION FOLDING SEURETARY AND DRESSER.

N 400,60? Patented Apr. 2;, 188 9 Rhtmemm. dam/0% .2 ShetsSheet 2. .A. SHIELDS, COMBINATION FOLDING SECRETARY AND DRESSER.

- Patented Apr. 2. 1889.

(No Model.)

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FFICE.

ANDREW SHIELDS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

COMBINATION FOLDING SECRETARY AND DRESSER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,607, dated April 2, 1889.

Application filed September 19, 1887. Serial No. 250,143. (No model.)

T aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW SHIELDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Folding Secretary and Dresser; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and-figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my invention, the parts being opened and in the position of use. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the parts closed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on a plane parallel with the sides of the article when closed, as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail in side view illustrating the relative position of the parts composing the writing-desk when adjusted for use. Fig. 5 illustrates a detail in top View consisting of the wash-bowl stand.

My invention relates to and consists in certain improvements in compound furniture that'is, furniture in which two or more articles are unitedfor economy of space and neatness and singleness of appearance. In this particular case a wardrobe or bureau, toiletstand, commode, and writing-desk are combined in one structure, so that the parts may be adjusted and folded to occupy a small space and have the appearance of an ordinary wardrobe.

In the drawings referred to like letters of reference mark corresponding parts, and the letter A designates the main case or portion of the structure. This portion contains drawers O for receiving articles of apparel. It also contains the toilet apparatus, which consistsof a basin-support composed of a piece, J, provided at its side edges with fixed cleats I, and at its front edge with a hinged piece, K. This basin-support slides in suitable grooves *at the sides of a recess in the main case, and

when slid entirely into the recess the opening is closed by an independent door, D, hinged at the side of the case, so that when the said 13 and rim B.

the door D independent of the stand J, and

not as a part thereof, is that it is not liable to the damage resulting from its use as a bowlstand. Another recess at. the lower left-hand side of the case is provided with shelves L L for the reception of a water-pitcher, slopbowl, 850., the said recess being closed by a door, D.

Upon the upper portion of the large door or folding portion B is hinged a mirror, E, which folds downward and is held in upright position by means of a rod, R, passing into a suitable hole in the edge of the mirrorframe. This rod is held in its upper and lower positions by means of pins on the rod engaging fastening hooks or pins on the door The tall wardrobes heretofore in use were, because of their size, cumbersome and unsightly. By attaching the mirror to the upper edge of the door B, as described, the height of the article need not be above the horizontal plane of a persons shoulders,

the mirror in its-open position then being at just the right height for use. It is clear, therefore, that by this way of connecting the mirror with the door the height of the latter and the article, as a whole, may be considerably reduced, thus economizing in the material and cost of construction as well as enhancing the appearance of the article.

A tier of pigeon-holes, G, are made at the left-hand side of the door, and between the tier of pigeon-holes and the rim B is hinged or pivoted a leaf, F, for use as a writing-desk. Small drawers H, sliding in suitable cleats, are provided at the under side of the leaf F. To sustain the leaf in position for use as a desk, a brace composed of rods M M, having one pair of their ends connected by a crossbar, 0, and the other pair pivoted on the door 13, as indicated at b, is provided. A cord, N, connected with cross-bar 0, passes through an eye, U. hen the frame is to support the leaf, the bar 0 of the brace simply rests be hind the cleats in which the drawers H slide. In order to bring the leaf into position for use as a desk, the cord N is drawn out, and by a slight additionallift the leaf is brought into the position in which it is supported by the brace.

A support is provided for the door or folding portion B. This consists of a rod or leg, 0, provided with pins Q Q, which engage pins or lugs P P on the door, the pins P P serving also to keep the rod or leg upon the door, the space between them being sufiicient to allow the passage of the pins Q Q. When the leg supports the door, the pin Q rests on the under side of the pin P, and when the rod is not in use itis supported in elevated position by the pin Q, resting on the upper side of the pin P. and a bracket, T, for a lamp, may be provided, as shown.

I am aware that a wardrobe has been made with a desk and mirror on its door; but the mirror in that instance was secured firmly and flatly upon the upper portion of the door. In order, therefore, that the mirror might be used by a person in the standing position, the door was necessarily made of unsightly height.

What I claim is A bracket, S, for towels, &c.,'

1. The combination, with the doorB, of the folding leaf F, an eye, U, thereon, a brace to support said leaf in its raised position, and a cord, N, connected with the brace and passing through the eye, substantially as described.

2. In an article of compound furniture, the combination, with a case, A, of the door or portion B, hinged to said case, the mirror E, hinged at its lower edge to the upper edge of said door or portion B, so as to be folded downward fiat upon the door and to be turned upward into a plane parallel to or coincident with that of the door, and means for locking the same in open position, substantially as and for the purposes explained.

3. The case A, provided with drawers C and a large recess for the reception of awashbowl, the wash-bowl stand consisting of the piece J, provided with cleats I, placed and adapted to slide in the lower portion of said recess, and the hinged piece K, and an independent door, D, hinged at the side of said recess, whereby the opening may be closed, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW SHIELDS.

W'itnesses:

ADOLPH B. MASON, ELLA P. SHUs'rER. 

